Robert Virgil Clark

Robert Virgil Clark,73 (Robbie to everyone who knew him) went to join his little dog, Clara, in heaven on July 24, 2022, in Yuma, Ariz. Robbie was born on Nov. 10, 1948, to Delmar V and L Ruth Clark.

He and his wife, Connie, were married for 53 years. Robbie always thought his greatest accomplishments in life were being a good husband and a good father to their three sons, Fritz, of Ada, Okla., Justin (Kelli), of Grand Junction, Colo., and Jeremy (Bridget), of East Aurora, NY, and especially a good grandfather to his four grandchildren, Jesse and Mathew, of Grand Junction, Colo., and Brooklyn and Aiden, of East Aurora, NY.

He often expressed how proud he was of his sons and grandchildren. There was no limit to the support he gave whether it was football, baseball, wrestling, golf, soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, rodeo or their academic successes.

Robbie graduated from Monte Vista High School where he excelled in football, wrestling, and track. He laughed when he told friends that this “little fat guy held the school record in the 100 yard dash.”

He also was a bull rider and later a team roper where he won the Ski-Hi Stampede with his son Fritz. He was on the Ski-Hi Stampede Committee for 20 years where he generated many great memories and a whole lot of great friends.

Later in life Robbie took up golf, mainly to spend time with his grandson Aiden. He also spent many hours elk and deer hunting.

Robbie owned and operated J & R Sales with his sons. When he sold the business, he was the equipment salesman for the Monte Vista COOP.

When they retired, Robbie and Connie made the decision to become snowbirds and spent the last six years between Monte Vista and Yuma, Ariz. They loved the warm weather and low elevation.

Robbie was preceded in death by his parents, Delmar V and L Ruth Clark and, of course, his special little traveling partner, Clara.

He is survived by his wife, Connie, his three sons, four grandchildren, and his two sisters, Nona (Kenneth) VanIwarden, of Monte Vista, Colo., and Lynette Freel, of Albuquerque, NM, his forever brother in law, Rod Freel, Belen, of NM. He is also survived by his nieces, Christy (Monte) Smith, Tandy Freel, Blair (Brian) Lopez, and great nephews Luke and Trey Jones, and Joey and Alex Lopez.

A celebration of life will be held on Aug. 20, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the new Ski-Hi building with lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to “Ski Hi Stampede Committee for Tough Enough to Wear Pink Stephanie Miner Imaging Center “or “Ski Hi Stampede Scholarship,” PO Box 391 Monte Vista, CO 81144.